How we create our travel map

We’re often asked how we create our animated travel map.

It may look complicated, but once the system is set up, it becomes a simple routine.

Here’s how we do it.

1. Setting up the Base Map

Map

• I use a Macintosh computer and an application called ‘Keynote‘ (Apple’s version of PowerPoint, included with Mac)
• I find a map of North America online
• I take a screen snapshot
• I paste it into a new blank Keynote slide

Airstream Icon

• I take a photo of our Airstream, Beauty
• Using Photoshop Elements, I remove the background so only the Airstream remains
• I save it as a GIF
• I insert that GIF onto the Keynote slide with the map
• I size it to what looks right
• I animate it using the Keynote tool: ‘Animate → Build In → Fireworks’

2. Creating a Travel Day

Each travel day is added one step at a time.

Step 1 – Plan the Route

• I go to Google Maps and create a route by entering the starting point and destination

Step 2 – Draw the Route

• Using that route as a reference, I draw a matching line on the Keynote map
• I use the Keynote tool: ‘Insert → Line → Draw With a Pen’
• I trace the route as closely as I can
• I adjust the color and thickness to what I like

Step 3 – Animate the Route

• I animate the line using the Keynote tool: ‘Animate → Wipe’
• I match the animation direction to the direction we traveled

Step 4 — Set the Timing

• I set the animation speed based on how far we traveled that day:
  • About 100 miles → ~0.3 seconds
  • About 200 miles → ~1 second
• The longer the travel day, the longer the animation

Step 5 — Mark the Stop

• I place a black dot at the endpoint (using a small circle shape)
• I animate it using the Keynote tool: ‘Animate → Appear’ (after the line finishes)

Step 6 — Move the Airstream

• I move the Airstream GIF (created in the initial setup and already animated with the Keynote tool: ‘Animate → Build In → Fireworks‘) to the last black dot endpoint
• I set it to appear after the black dot appears
• I select the Airstream and use the Keynote tool: ‘Arrange → Bring to Front’

Step 7 – Animate the Airstream Movement

• I insert another Airstream GIF onto the map (the same one used earlier)
• This second Airstream is used only for the movement animation (the first remains at the endpoint)
• I place it at the beginning of the travel day
• I animate it using the Keynote tool: ‘Animate → Action → Move’
• The action creates a red motion path with a faded Airstream showing the endpoint

Step 8 – Match the Movement Path

• I drag the endpoint of that path to the final black dot

• I move that faded Airstream on top of the last black dot of our day’s journey
• I adjust the path to match the route:
  • Clicking the line (single click) reveals white control points
  • I use those to shape the path along the route

Step 9 – Set Airstream Timing

• I match the duration of the Airstream movement to the route animation

Continuing the Animation Over Time

• Each new travel day extends the same Airstream animation:
• I continue the motion path from the previous endpoint
• I add to the total animation time

Important Notes

• The Airstream should lead the animated line, not lag behind

• If it doesn’t, I adjust the timing until it looks right

3. Turning It Into a Video

When I’m ready to publish:

• I record the animation using QuickTime screen recording
• I import the recording into iMovie
• I adjust the speed to match music and sound effects 
• I export the finished movie as an MP4 file
• I upload it to our website

4. Ongoing Updates

• After each travel day, I repeat the process starting from the previous location
• I update the animated map on our website 2 to 4 times a month

Final Thought

It sounds complicated at first, but after doing it more than 500 times, it now takes about 15 minutes to add a new travel day.

If you try this and get it working, we’d love to see your map.

Feel free to leave a comment with a link.

Good luck—and enjoy the journey.

You can see our exact route on this map.

*Photos in this post, unless otherwise noted, were taken and copyrighted by Living in Beauty.

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